Caption: Leaders and educators at New Fairfield High School in New Fairfield, Conn.听Photo Credit (all): Courtesy of VS America
By Jill Ackers and Courtney Sevigny听
Transforming learning spaces is about more than updating furniture or redesigning classrooms鈥攊t鈥檚 about shifting mindsets, evolving leadership and creating shared language around how space supports learning. Listening to students, supporting teachers, communicating听clearly, engaging in continuous learning and challenging the status quo create the conditions for meaningful transformation.听
The most profound transformations happen when leaders evolve alongside their schools. In collaboration with fellow school leaders, teachers and students, five key lessons emerged about leading in an鈥痚ver-changing environment shaped by furniture, flexibility and function.听
Leadership Means Lifelong Learning in Dynamic Spaces听
Author Maya Angelou鈥檚 words resonate in moments of uncertainty:鈥�淒o the best you can until you know better. Then, when you know better, do better.鈥濃�疞eadership is about modeling this mindset鈥攁cknowledging when something isn鈥檛 working and adjusting accordingly.听
In flexible learning spaces, this means understanding鈥痟ow furniture choices impact engagement, accessibility and movement.鈥�听
As a native Rhode Islander, Courtney Sevigny, ECLPS, learning environment specialist for VS America, likes to think of the administrator as the鈥痗aptain of a ship.鈥疘n calm waters, the captain sets the course, guides the crew and delegates roles. In turbulent times, the captain rolls up their sleeves and adjusts the sails alongside the crew. Trust is built by鈥痚ngaging in real conversations, observing how space is used, and testing changes in response to student and teacher feedback.听
Students Lead the Way When Space Supports Their Needs听
Observing students in action offers invaluable insights. When given the right environments, they naturally demonstrate what supports their engagement and growth.鈥�听
I will never forget walking into the鈥痩earning commons鈥痑nd seeing students reclining while working on a writing assignment. My instinct was to correct their posture, but鈥痶aking a moment to observe revealed something deeper鈥攁 preconceived idea about what learning “should” look like.鈥疶hat day, I learned a priceless lesson: Even forward-thinking leaders carry assumptions that could hinder growth.听
The key is鈥痭ot allowing those ideas to dictate decision-making. Observe without judgment. When you do this, stories unfold that you might otherwise miss鈥攁 reluctant writer filling an entire writable tabletop with prewriting, a student calmly working while perched on a wobble stool or a group naturally shifting desks to collaborate.听
Supporting Teachers as Learners in New Spaces听
Teachers benefit from clear support in navigating鈥痙ynamic environments.鈥疶raditional classroom design often dictates rigid instruction鈥攊ntroducing鈥痑daptable learning spaces means shifting instructional practices.听
Professional learning that includes鈥痟ands-on engagement with flexible furniture, real-world scenarios and practical experimentation鈥痜osters confidence.听听
James D鈥橝mico, principal at New Fairfield High School in New Fairfield, Conn., reflected on the shift in leadership within a transformed school space.听
鈥淚n the previous building, hallways were lined with closed doors, limiting interactions. Now, in more open and adaptable spaces, I see learning in action,鈥� D鈥橝mico said. “Happy collisions happen naturally, teachers move beyond their classrooms and I engage with students in ways that weren鈥檛 possible before. It鈥檚 not just the learning spaces鈥攖he office spaces are more open too. There鈥檚 more dialogue. There鈥檚 more collaboration.鈥�听
Some staff鈥痚mbrace these changes quickly, while others take time.鈥疪egular conversations, feedback, and ongoing professional learning support teachers in rethinking鈥痟ow furniture, movement and spatial planning enhance instruction.听听
To learn more about the value of clear expectations, communication and the power of asking 鈥榃hy Not?鈥� when rethinking learning environments, visit the March/April edition of 91视频.听
Jill Ackers, ALEP, is director of education for VS America.听
Courtney Sevigny, ECLPS, is a learning environment specialist for VS America.听
About VS America 听
VS America Inc. is a leading manufacturer of educational furniture for K-12 schools, colleges and libraries. Focused on best practices for educational facilities worldwide, VS develops adaptable, ergonomic and sustainable furniture solutions which allow for the creation of agile learning environments. For more information, visit 鈥�.听